We've been eagerly awaiting Toyota's final pricing on the new 2010 Prius. Knowing that Honda recently slapped down a beat-that-if-you-can sticker of $20,470 on the 2010 Insight, we figured that Toyota would come back with a nice, tight, and competitive counter-punch. How'd they do? Well, not too shabby. With the Prius I package set at $21,000 even, they didn't exactly beat Honda's price. But then, considering Prius's sterling reputation and devoted following, they really didn't have to. They just had to be close, and that they've done. Accordingly, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, Bob Carter said, “The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price.” Scott spent some time behind the wheel of Prius G-3 at Toyota's Media Preview Event, and he enthusiastically says, "Yes, Bob, I agree."

Truthfully, we're a little surprised that Toyota went so low. In our blog announcing Honda's Insight price, we said, "Expect Toyota to fire back with a probably pricier, but much-improved 2010 Prius in late spring 2009." And in our initial Preview test drive of the Generation 3 Prius, we guessed the price to be somewhere in the $23,000ish range. So yes, we're a bit surprised, but very tickled, that Toyota "got real price competitive." We've said it before about Prius versus Insight, and we'll say it again, "Oh, this little hybrid war is going to be fun to watch. Will price win? Will reputation win? Will value win? Let the games begin."

2010 Generation 3 Prius © Scott Gable

Today, April 22, is Earth Day, the day when we celebrate the beauty and wonder of this great big "Blue Marble" we all call home. It's a time when we stop to reflect on the impact we humans have on our resilient--but all at once fragile--host. The good folks at Honda understand. They recognize the importance of treading as lightly as possible while still living enjoyable lives and getting the daily business-of-life done. And that's why they've gone back to their hybrid roots. After a 4-year hiatus, Honda brings back the fuel-sippy-and-emissions-friendly-little-hybrid, the 2010 Insight.

To celebrate Earth Day, American Honda is hosting a homecoming of more than 100 owners of the first-generation Insight. Happen to be in L.A. today? Expect to see lots of these ground-breaking hybrids tooling around and poised for display and photos at Honda Center in Los Angeles, California, and be sure to get in line for a 2010 Insight test drive on the special hybrid course.

And of course, no party would be complete without a door prize. Go online at www.greenliving.com/greenliving or register live at the event for a chance to win a good-looking-common-sense-making 2010 Insight. No need to be present in order to win.

Where:
Honda Center
2695 East Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806

When:
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

2010 Insight © Aaron Gold. "Blue Marble" © NASA

"Greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem." That's according to Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, when discussing a recent finding which boldly states that greenhouse gases, and the greenhouse effect in general, are a danger to the public welfare. And these are results that come two years after the U.S. Supreme Court directed the EPA to resolve this issue: Are carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions truly contributing to dangerous air pollution or is it just a bunch of hooey based upon unsound science?

Stating potential economical havoc, the Bush administration policy was dead set against greenhouse gas controls and limits. Looks like times are a-changin': It is now anticipated that the EPA may use its power to crack down on CAFE standards. No surprise there, eh? To eliminate the tons of carbon dioxide emitted by commuters each and every day--year after year after year--improved fuel economy and emissions (and yes, cleaner, greener electric vehicles) are needed. While federal law already states that automakers must improve their average fleet economy to 35 mpg by 2020 (a 40-percent improvement over today and a major step towards reducing their contribution to global warming), those numbers could become even more demanding in the near future.

What say you? Are we on the verge of fuel economy mandates? ... Would you support legislation on climate change? ... Would you support federal regulation on CAFE standards? ... Do you think this is just the beginning of a long regulatory process that won't bring about any necessary change? ... Will the automakers step up and meet the punch of the climate change issues that seem to be just the tip of the iceberg?

Go ahead and sound off. Let us know what you think--comment below.

The Europeans. They always do things a little differently (sometimes a lot differently) than we do here in North America. They eat a little less red meat, we eat a little more ... they drink a little more wine, we drink a little more beer ... they drive many more alt fuel vehicles, we drive predominately gasoline powered cars. And for our purposes here at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels, it's those vehicles and fuels that we care about.

And so it is, according to a report from Automotive News Europe, that the Italian government has created a bit of a run on propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) powered cars and trucks (orders are up to the tune of 30 percent). Through its initiative to replace old cars with clean fuel-efficient gas (not gasoline) models--that emit far fewer CO² emissions--buyers of LPG vehicles are eligible for incentives from 1,500 to 2000 euros ($1990 to $2655) while CNG buyers get between 1,500 and 3500 euros ($1990 and $4645). An unfortunate side effect: The sale of clean diesels in Italy, once quite popular as an option to gasoline cars has suffered at the hands of the this popular incentive package, falling by better than 15 percent so far.

Europeans have little trouble finding factory-built gassers from local dealerships, but try buying one of those in the U.S. The only purpose-built natural gas car available in America is the Honda Civic GX CNG. Otherwise, the only choice is to go the CNG conversion or propane conversion route.

We think things will eventually change in the United States though. With the EPA feeling more and more pressure to classify and regulate CO² as a global warming inducing pollutant, the Federal government may well decide to sweeten the deal and encourage propane and CNG vehicle production here in the States.

CNG powered Opel Zafira © Opel Europe

The 2009 New York Auto Show runs the balance of this week and through the weekend, ending on Sunday, April 19. While many manufacturers are showing off their latest hybrids (including Chevrolet's Volt, Ford's Fusion Hybrid, Honda's Insight and Toyota's Prius), a few EV manufactures are thumping their chests with their all-electric hardware as well. Highly promising among them is the Mitsubishi i MiEV.

The company's i MiEV promises to be the world's first practical all-electric vehicle built by any major automobile manufacturer. Fleet sales are scheduled to begin July 2009 in Japan and move worldwide thereafter. Just to nail home their commitment, company officials announced at the New York show that they are joining the State of Oregon and Portland General Electric (PGE) in the i MiEV partnership program, that will, according to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, "... create opportunity for its commitment to a greener future - wins for our economy and our environment." PGE is installing a network of charging stations across its service territory in Oregon and the backing of Mitsubishi and the i MiEVs further cements its support of next-generation EVs. The electric company already has over a dozen charging stations operational in its territory and we had an opportunity to snap a picture of one of the City of Portland EV chargers while doing business in the city last fall.

Here's how we see it all panning out: It doesn't cost municipalities a lot of money to build charging stations (the components are relatively inexpensive and electricity is abundant nearly everywhere), and the fiscal commitment is relatively "budget benign." Really, it's only a matter of time until the economics of electric propulsion prove out and EVs (both of the NEV variety and full-range cruisers) are part of the everyday "personal vehicle" locomotion landscape in metropolitan areas throughout the world.

Mitsubishi all-electric i MiEV Sport © Scott Gable

A few days ago we wrote about Yokohama's new eco-friendly citrus oil tire. We stated that it was not only more environmentally friendly in its composition (that would be the citrus oil component), but that it was designated as a more fuel-efficient low rolling resistance design for hybrids.

An observant reader questioned whether that more fuel-efficient design at all impacted braking performance. We answered that in general it does, but that we'd forward the question to Yokohama engineers for their official answer regarding the Super Nano Power Rubber dB Super E-spec tire in particular.

Following is what Yokohama's Mark Chung had to say:

"Your reader’s astute speculation about the compromise between lower rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) and overall tire grip makes perfect sense if we assume using conventional tire compounding and building methods. The unique feature about the dB Super E-spec is that its compound addresses the mentioned compromise by utilizing the interaction between natural rubber and orange oil. Specifically, this compound, which we call the dual-mode compound, maintains its low RRC mode when in straight-line, non-cornering, non-braking situations. But when the tire is placed under load, whether braking or cornering, it quickly generates heat and the compound’s characteristics change to deliver the grip necessary to negate any compromise I mentioned earlier. When the tire returns to straight-line mode, its characteristics change back to the low RRC mode. It is like having a switch to turn on/off the tire’s behavior, except that the tire takes care of the switching itself! This dual-mode behavior is activated by orange oil. Orange you glad your reader asked this question?"

Guess that answers that, and if we must say so, it's a very clever manipulation of chemistry and physics on the part of Yokohama's engineers.

Audi has finally set a price for its first U.S. Clean Diesel. Filled with a tank of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), and fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter and Selective Catalytic Reduction, the company claims that the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI is the world’s cleanest diesel SUV, meeting super stringent diesel emissions for all 50 U.S. states. This big boy is scheduled to arrive at dealerships across the country in late April 2009. Dressed as the TDI Premium, the 3.0-liter V-6 diesel Q7 clocks in at $51,725 including destination. Wow! That is serious cash. To help ease a little of that price tag pain, buyers do qualify for Uncle Sam's $1,150 Clean Diesel Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit.

I was lucky enough to pilot a Q7 TDI from New York City to Chicago in 3-day Wave 1 of the Audi Mileage Marathon. And while the EPA gives the Q7 TDI a rating of 17-city/20-highway mpg, my partner Mike Omotoso and I averaged about 31 mpg during our 1000-plus mile trip.

We here at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels are very happy to see Audi bring this big--but otherwise nimble and efficient--SUV to U.S. shores. And we hope it sells well too, because that means the company may then be enticed to bring over its mother lode of European "fuel sippy" little diesels. I saw the A4, the A5 and the near-and dear-to-my-heart A3--all TDIs--rack up better than 40, and some close to 50, mpg during the Marathon. Ohh la la baby! I do so love diesel power. --Scott

2009 Audi Q7 TDI © Audi

Most hybrids (and EVs, for that matter) use high voltage AC traction motors to power the car--passengers, cargo and all--down the road. And the juice for all that locomotion comes from what amounts to a suitcase-size DC battery pack stowed somewhere behind the rear seat.

So the question becomes: How does that "smallish" battery get up enough gumption to push what amounts to a couple of tons of "dead weight" from a standing-stop to highway speed? Enter the hardworking inverter/converter unit.

2nd and 3rd generation Prius inverter/converter units © Toyota

Mileage: 14,776

Fuel economy: 36.6 mpg

Weather conditions: February was bitterly cold, with snow and ice galore. March saw a gradual warming, but nights are still nippy in the 30s and days are in the 50s.

Maintenance/Repairs: All has been A-OK. It’s been the ultimate easy set of wheels to own—no matter what the time of day or night, the push button ignition starts that 2.5-liter four cylinder engine/40 horsepower electric motor combo and she’s rarin’ to go.

Comments: While our friends had proclaimed amazing fuel economy improvements from filling up with “pure gasoline” at a local station, our two-month trial did not show any noticeable, or even measurable differences. We did not alter our driving style in any way between pure gasoline and E10. As we’ve said before, the best way to make the most of each tank of gasoline (with or without that 10 percent ethanol) is to use smart, eco-driving techniques. There are ways to stretch each gallon—so stay conscious of your use of the gas pedal and the road conditions. That’s the best way to truly increase your vehicle’s fuel economy, hybrid or not. And for even more tips, check out our 20 favorite ways to drive efficiently.

photo © Adrian Gable - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

That's what Yokohama calls its racing inspired citrus oil compound (yes, you heard that right, citrus oil) in the all-new dB Super E-spec passenger car tire. This advanced Super Nano Power Rubber tire compound combines citrus oil with natural rubber to reduce the amount of petroleum products needed (by about 10 percent) to produce tires, while also increasing their recyclability.

But that's not all—the dB Super E-spec also qualifies as a low-rolling resistance tire for use on hybrid vehicles. "The dB Super E-spec is also much lighter and conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance by up to 20 percent. Low rolling resistance tires improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tire rolls down the road," said Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president, Business Division, according to a company press release.

The company expects the tire to hit stores by summer 2009, and dB Super E-Spec will be available in four sizes for hybrid use:

• 195/55R16 86V and 185/65R15 88H for Toyota Prius
• 195/65R15 91H for Honda Civic Hybrid and Civic GX NGV
• 215/60R16 95V for Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid

Great idea and great engineering from the folks at Yokohama. This is exactly the kind of outside the box thinking that we need to advance energy efficiency and reduce petroleum use--it's not just the fuel that we put in our tanks that matters.